Missed connection due to a train delay: here are your options (and your rights)

In many cases you get your money back if your train is delayed and you miss your connection as a result. In this article you'll read what's best to do in that situation, what you're entitled to, and how to arrange your claim.

Your train was delayed and your transfer is gone. Annoying, but you're not left empty-handed. Catch the next train on your planned route, keep your travel ticket, and then claim your money back. Because if the missed connection means you arrive at your final destination 30 minutes or more late, you're entitled to compensation.

Below we explain everything step by step.

Step 1: Check your next connection

Open the NS app or a journey planner and find the next train to your final destination. There's often another connection within fifteen minutes. Hop on and continue your journey. You don't need to report anything at the station, because the delay is automatically recorded in your journey. Not sure about the best route? Just ask the conductor or at the service desk.

Step 2: Stick to your planned route

This is the most important tip, and exactly where many people forfeit their compensation. Stick to the route in your journey, even if a detour seems faster. If, for example, you transfer via Utrecht instead of Amsterdam, your actual route differs from what NS sees in the system. The train numbers won't match, and your claim is quietly rejected. So you're better off travelling a bit longer, but travelling as planned.

Step 3: No alternative within 100 minutes? Then you can arrange transport yourself

Is there no alternative running, and no other route offered within 100 minutes of your scheduled departure? Then you're allowed to arrange replacement transport yourself. Keep all your receipts. Do bear in mind that getting those costs reimbursed is a case-by-case matter and doesn't always work out. You can read more about your rights as a rail passenger in the official EU information on rail passenger rights.

Step 4: Keep your evidence

Do you travel with OVpay or an OV-chipkaart and check in and out properly? Then your delay is automatically in your journey and you need little extra evidence. Do you have a separate e-ticket or paper ticket? Then keep it, along with your scheduled departure time and your departure and arrival stations. A screenshot of the delay in the app helps too.

Step 5: Claim your money back

After that, you claim your money back through NS's Money back for delays scheme. You can do this online via My NS, or with a form if you travelled with a debit or credit card. You have up to 3 months after your journey to do this. Or you let us handle it, more on that below.

Does a missed connection actually count towards compensation?

Yes. NS looks at your arrival time at your final destination, not at the station where you transferred. Did you miss your connection because of a delayed train, and arrive much later as a result? Then that total delay counts.

An example. Your first train is 10 minutes late. Just too late for your transfer, so you wait 25 minutes for the next one. You arrive at your final destination 35 minutes later than planned. Those 35 minutes count, so you're entitled to compensation.

One thing: did you travel with both NS and another carrier, such as Arriva? Then NS only reimburses its own delay. For a delay caused by the other carrier, that carrier is the right place to go.

How much do you get back?

How much you get back depends on your total delay at your final destination. For 30 to 60 minutes you get 50% of your fare back. For 60 minutes or more you get the entire fare back. This is based on the price of your single journey for that route. Is the amount lower than €2.30? Then NS pays out nothing.

Do you have a season ticket? Then NS calculates with a portion of your monthly price instead of a single fare. And on the high-speed line, such as the Intercity direct, the scheme already applies from 15 minutes of delay.

And consequential damages: a missed flight, appointment or work?

A missed flight, an appointment or work hours: we call that consequential damage. By law, the carrier usually doesn't have to reimburse this. The compensation covers your fare, not the damage that follows. So don't expect too much here, and keep evidence if you want to try anyway.

Don't fancy the hassle? Let us handle your claim

The step-by-step plan is doable, but honestly: it's a hassle. Sticking to the right route, keeping evidence, filing on time, and watching out for quiet rejections. That's what we're here for at trein-vertraging.nl. You link your OV-chipkaart or OVpay once, and we find your delays and arrange your claims automatically.